Social Security Fairness Act H.R. 82

Since the early 80s, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset have impacted / limited Social Security benefits for employees who work/worked under a system that did not pay into Social Security. On January 5, 2025, President Biden signed legislation repealing these penalties. The change impacts those under CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System), CSRS-Offset, some state/county employees, some teachers, and others. If you are under FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) this change does not impact you in any way. If you have never worked in a job that didn't participate in Social Security, this change does not impact you in any way.

WEP has limited the amount of Social Security a person could receive on their own record. GPO has limited the ability of these people to draw against a spouses record and their ability to receive spousal survivor benefits.

[bamagurl]

Best explanation I have heard thus far! And yes railway retirees are included!

[hazellowery]

Thank you for your straightforward explanation. I appreciate you.

[davidthreegun]

Nice explanation, I wouldn't use the phrase "get half of my spouses benefit". The first thing my wife said is I am not splitting my check with you. Maybe use entitled to an amount equal to half my spouse's benefit.

[RobertYoung-mlkr]

Absolutely excellent explanation of WEP-GPO. There is so much info. on the internet that is bogus and even by self proclaimed "attorneys." This host is very good. I had a PIA of $1849 @ 70 years of age and retired from law enforcement 25 years prior. Worked in the private sector before, during and after my non SSA paying LEO career. At 70 in Oct.2024, SSA took $772 a month from my $1849 PIA and gave me $1122 a month. What retroactive pay will I get and what will my monthly benefit be now after the Fairness Act has passed. I am a 2nd Generation Retired Big City Phila. Police Officer. My father was also and my mother was a victim of GPO. We were in a Dept. with one of the lowest pay of any PD in the Nation. And I'm having trouble making it now and still working @ 70. Can you estimate what my increase may be if any. Retired PPD

[deedawson]

Very clear presentation. Just one question. Will SSA recompute my 2 option (self benefit and spousal benefit) and award the higher amount going forth as well as back pay from January 2024? I’m CSRS retiree and awarded the reduced self benefit.

[mrfuzzcat]

The GPO was first enacted in 1977 under Carter Administration. It reduced the spousal benefit dollar for dollar of the non-covered Gov pension amount. The GPO was modified in 1983 under the Reagan Administration to reduce by 2/3 of the non-covered pension amount. Not quite as harsh a penalty as the original law but still bad.

[andya]

Great video but I am still a bit confused. I started collecting in 2016 and the SSA said that since I had a teacher pension but I had substantial earnings, I would only get 50% of my benefit. I currently get $1933 a month before deductions. Any idea how much I may get after the Fairnes act passed? Thanks in advance for any help.

[RamonRodriguez-hqvn]

I have a question.
I have SSDI, with Spouse Survivor benefits. I am 61, and I am planning to change my status to regular Social Security benefits; when I am 62 next year. I understand the chart, there's a penalty reduction. What happens to my benefits, since I am already on SSDI ? Will it be reduce ?

[lovelove-erlq]

The question is when is Social Security going to implement the Social Security Fairness Act Biden Signed.I get SSI an Small Disability Pension Social Security has Reduced my SSI Because of my Disability Pension my Employer did not pay into Social Security.

[James-pu]

The first thing I think of when it comes to social security is I’m getting Old

[bruceschwartz]

If you dont put in you shouldnt get out